Teaching Tuesday: Remember Who You Are

Series: Kingdom Politics
Sermon: Remember Who You Are

On Sunday I made the argument in my sermon that our identity as Christians must overwhelm all of our other identities, especially our political identities. Anything else we may see ourselves as - Republicans, Democrats, whatever - must submit to the authority of God over the world and his word over our lives.

To look at this another way, when faith is not just a drawer in the dresser of our lives, but is itself the dresser of life that encompasses all of the other drawers, our desires and God’s desires should be in alignment. We should want what God wants, because God wants it and our hearts are close to his.

This ought to put our political preferences, opinions, and even fears in proper perspective: God’s kingdom looks like love, mercy, justice, and peace, so all of our work - political and otherwise - should be aimed at those same goals.

Additionally, we shouldn’t obsess over temporary things, because God’s kingdom is eternal.

This is easier said than done, of course.

It’s so hard to avoid being anxious by the turmoil that surrounds us. While I think the power of any one particular politician to affect our daily lives is usually overstated, the direction of our country and our world is influenced by who wins elections and what they decide to do with their power.

Wars are started or ended, laws are written or overridden, regulations are created or cut.

This reality is understandably anxiety-producing, especially if you’re unhappy with how you perceive things to be going.

Remember, though, that our king is already permanently on his throne. Our hope and our hearts are with him and him alone.

I read this helpful quote recently: “Politics is important, so it’s good for Christians to be active in an election season. But politics isn’t ultimate, so we shouldn’t be anxious in an election season.”

How can we resist the temptation of penetrating anxiety?

One of my favorite passages of scripture to turn to in such a season is Psalm 2. I invite you to read it now.

Those words were written something like 3,000 years ago, but don’t they still seem super-duper relevant for today?

There are still forces working against God, but he is still in control.
 
When I read Psalm 2 I’m reminded that our troubles are not new and not unique. The story of history is rebellion against God and violence against his people. The story of the future will be God’s triumphant victory. This was true for David and is still true for us today.

When we zoom out and take an eternal perspective, our anxiety can transform into worship, because we know the current division and tumult will not last and will not stop the coming Kingdom of Heaven.

Blessed are those who take refuge in him.

Study for this coming Sunday: Matthew 6:25-34

To know Him and make Him known!
- Pastor Brady